§ 36. Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions he has had with industry about research foresight concepts; and whether these will be covered in his science and technology White Paper.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Office of Science and Technology published a report by the science policy research unit at Sussex university on research foresight in March this year. I and my officials have had many discussions on such foresight with major British companies and the Confederation of British Industry in preparing for the White Paper.
§ Mr. KnapmanI am grateful for that reply. We greatly look forward to the publication of the White Paper as a result. Is my right hon. Friend aware that a number of our competitors, including the United States and Japan, already participate in such foresight exercises?
§ Mr. WaldegraveIndeed they do, and so do the Germans, the Dutch and people from other competitor countries. There may well be lessons to be learnt, which is why I have been in touch with the Sussex university unit, one of the centres of expertise on this subject.
§ Dr. BrayIs the Chancellor of the Duchy aware that other Governments in Europe and the European Commission take a considerably greater interest in this matter than do the British Government and that, in the conferences planned on the European Community fast programme, he and his colleagues are participating but little?
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe shall be coming to the discussion on the fourth framework programme, where a great deal of work is going on in this country, to make sure that our negotiating position is properly organised. The hon. Gentleman will find that we do not hold back when it comes to putting forward Britain's views on this matter.
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. I have a Standing Order No. 20 application to hear from the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe).